Teachers at primary schools in Ireland are spending an increasing amount of time preparing pupils for sacraments.

This is according to new figures from a Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) survey, which showed more than 70 per cent of the 363 teachers polled are giving more time to preparing children for making their First Communion and Confirmation than is available in their timetable for religion.

Despite this, it was also shown that just 49 per cent of respondents are willingly teaching religion to their students, which represents a 12 per cent fall compared to a decade ago.

Anne Fay, president of the INTO - which was founded in 1868 and is Ireland's biggest teachers' trade union - was quoted by the Irish Independent of saying that the last ten years have seen minimal change with regard to more diversity being introduced to the system.

Ms Fay added: "Parents are the primary educators of their children, yet when it comes to sacramental preparation, many teachers report that parents leave it to the schools."

Written by Donal Walsh

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